Wigan Athletic fighting 'with both hands tied behind our back'

That’s the message from assistant boss Leam Richardson heading into tonight’s League One clash at MK Dons.

Winger Viv Solomon-Otabor (ankle), defender Darnell Johnson (ankle) and midfielder Lee Evans (knock) are all big doubts for the trip.

Solomon-Otabor pulled up lame in his first involvement against Plymouth on Saturday, with Johnson failing to come out for the second half.

Evans was also crocked in the closing stages, with Chris Merrie waiting to come on when the final whistle went.

Merrie is in line to start at Stadium MK if the Welshman doesn’t make it, with Adam Long also waiting for the nod after taking over from Johnson and excelling.

Ollie Crankshaw and Alex Perry are two others to receive plenty of game-time this season, and Richardson says it’s great to see.

“I said right at the beginning that what some people would see as missing out on, somebody would see it as an opportunity to prosper,” he said.

“They’re learning on the job, which is always the hardest thing to do, but that’s the situation we’re in.

“We’re constantly trying to help them on the training pitch, the senior lads are all playing their part, and seeing them through.

“You’re probably looking at every single game bar maybe one (against Crewe) that you’re saying they couldn’t really have given us any more.

“Win, lose or draw they are giving us everything and you can’t ask for more than that.”

The emergence of the youngsters – ‘12-18 months sooner than they might have expected, according to Richardson – has been a rare positive during a difficult time.

But it’s underlined the fabulous work having been put in by Gregor Rioch and his staff behind the scenes over the last few years.

“They’ll be disappointed at the whole situation, having lost a couple of the younger lads really early, Jensen Weir and Joe Gelhardt,” acknowledged Richardson.

“They would maybe have expected those two to have been in the team now, and showing the fruits of all the labour on the training ground over the last few years.

“Running an Academy isn’t easy – a lot of the time the focus is on the first team, and everything revolves around that.

"But given the situation we’re in, they must be so proud at how so many of their lads have stepped up, conducted themselves really well and making the most of their opportunity.

“We still want to win games...albeit you are fighting with both hands tied behind your back.

"All you can do is work hard and bear with it a touch, because these lads are all trying their best.”

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